1997 Chevrolet Venture

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2003 USED. THE DAY I BOUGHT IT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WATCHED THEM TAKE A NEW TRANSMISSION OUT OF A CRATE AND PUT IT IN. AFTER THAT IT WAS BACK IN THE SHOP 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE NEXT YEAR FOR PROBLEMS. WHEN I WOULD GO THROUGH A YIELD REQUIRING ME TO SPEED UP SUCH AS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE IT WOULD REV UP AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL , ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN TRY AGAIN IT WOULD GRAB AND TAKE OFF. ALL THREE TIMES THEY REBUILT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. NOW THE SHIFT SENSORS ARE GOING OUT AND EVEN THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT ONLY 35,000 MILES. EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER THAT PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN HAS PURGED THEIR SYSTEM AND MY INFORMATION WAS KICKED OUT AND I CANNOT FIND THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK. WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP FROM HAVING TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PART THAT IS EXPENSIVE TO HAVE PUT IN. *TR

Incident Mar 14, 2003

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA MANUFACTURER NOTICES TO DEALERS (ETC RCMN-02V286-8630.PDF), THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,197.

Incident Dec 20, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB CONTINUOUSLY FAILED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BULB, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONSTANT FAILURE WAS DUE TO MOISTURE ENTERING THE FIXTURE, WHICH BLEW OUT THE BULB AND DISCOLORED THE LENS. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Incident Sep 9, 2002

I BOUGHT MY 97 VENTURE A YEAR AGO, ENDED UP GETTING A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER FOR THE REAR DOOR HANDLES. BROUGHT TO DEALER TO HAVE FIXED, TO FIND OUT OTHER RECALLS WEREN'T FIXED. I HAD THE STEERING RECALL DONE. WELL NOW NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN UNDER 6 YRS OLD AND THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD, IM AFRAID TO TRAVEL IN IT!! EVERY TURN BE IT RIGHT OR LEFT I FEEL THE STEERING KIND OF POP AND STICK ITS SCARY I THINK GM NEEDS TO REEVALUATE ITS SO CALLED FAMILY SAFE VEHICLE AND REIMBURSE ALL OF US OWNERS!! *NM

Incident Nov 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 3 SEPARATE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB

Incident Feb 15, 2006

1997 CHEVY VENTURE ,POWER SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR THE DOOR POPS OPEN WHILE DRIVING.THE DEALER STATES DOOR HAD BEEN REPAIRED ONCE IN 2002 AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FURTHER REPAIRES ON THE LATCHING OF THIS DOOR

Incident Aug 21, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THE INTERIOR HANDLE THAT OPENS THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAUSING OCCUPANTS TO GET TRAPPED BY THE DOOR. A NHTSA RECALL, #04V597000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOUR TO FIVE TIMES.

Incident Oct 1, 2005

ON 28 JULY 2003, THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN MY 97 CHEVY VENTURE UNDER A RECALL SCHEME. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT BACK IN, SINCE THEY LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE STEERING OFFSET TO THE RIGHT BY ABOUT 15 DEGREES, BUT IT WAS SUCH A HASSLE DEALING WITH THEM THAT I DIDN'T BOTHER. AROUND THE START OF FEBRUARY 2006, I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WHEN STEERING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS AS IF THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. WHEN I DRIVE THE VAN, I HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY PREPARED TO WRESTLE THE WHEEL WITH BOTH ARMS, ALTHOUGH THE FAULT IS STILL INTERMITTENT. I HAVE YET TO RAISE THE MATTER WITH THE DEALERSHIP, BUT NOTE THAT THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR ACCOUNTS, ALTHOUGH MOSTLY RELATING TO STEERING TO THE LEFT, FOR SIMILAR 97 VENTURES AND OTHER GM VEHICLES. *JB

Incident Feb 1, 2006

MY 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE VIN [XXX], WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK IN CORRECT POSITION. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME HE FOUND A CAMPAIGN LISTED (97005 FEB 97) FOR THE PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER CRANK ARM BECAUSE IT WAS BENT. THIS PARTICULAR PART WAS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN. IT COST ME $234.43 TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE WIPERS USED TO PARK WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IF YOU TURNED THEM ON AND OFF ENOUGH TIMES. FINALLY, THEY JUST STARTED STOPPING WHERE THEY WERE WHEN YOU TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS WAS OVER PROBABLY A YEARS TIME PERIOD. I JUST FOUND A REPAIR INVOICE FROM MAR 98 WHERE WE HAD TAKEN IN THE VAN BECAUSE WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK. I FEEL MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CAMPAIGN AND SHOULD BE COVERED AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *JB UDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident Feb 16, 2005

HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED LAST YEAR. RECENTLY THE VAN STALLED AND WAS TOLD THAT ANTI-FREEZE HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS, AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE NEW ENGINE NOT ONLY COULD BUT WOULD HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AT SOME POINT. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THESE VEHICLES.*AK

Incident Jan 20, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC COVERS ON THE HEADLIGHTS WERE GLUED AND NOT BOLTED ONTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE GLUE WORE OUT WATER GOT INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THE PLASTIC POPPED OFF, CAUSING THE HALOGEN LIGHT BULB TO BURN OUT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

Incident Dec 22, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND BUSTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT HER RESIDENCE. *AK

Incident Nov 15, 2005

DT: THE CALLER BOUGHT A VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL BEFORE HE GOT THE VEHICLE. THE RECALLED PART WAS THE STEERING RACK BEARING. HE WAS TOLD THE REPAIR WAS DONE. HE SAYS THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO TURN WHEN TURNING RIGHT. HE WILL NOT LET HIS WIFE DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. HE THOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS FAULTY. DEALER SAID THEY MIGHT NOT DO THE WORK FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD PAY THE REPAIR COSTS, THE FIRST TIME HE CALLED, IF IT WAS THE PART IN QUESTION. THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT. *AK *JB

Incident Oct 17, 2003

THIS HAPPENED TWICE THE FIRST TIME THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL DUE TO A INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE. I REPLACED THIS AT A COST OF 25.00, LUCKILY IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN JULY OF 2003 I HAD JUST GOTTEN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY WITH MY TWO 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS SUDDENLY THE CAR JUST SLOWED DOWN AS IF TO STALL WHITE SMOKE EVERYWHERE.. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE MANIFOLD GASKET AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE WENT AND I HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REPAIRED AT A PRICE OF $4400.00. MY MECHANIC THOUGH AT LEAST GUARANTEES ME ON THIS ENGINE OF 3 YEARS OR 75000 MILES. MORE OF A WARRANTY THAN GM GAVE ME. I WILL NEVER BUY AMERICAN GM PRODUCTS AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED, I WAS ONLY 1,000 MILES OVER ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT NOT YET UP ON THE YEARS AND GM AND THE COMPANY OFFERING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME OUT. GM REFUSED TO HELP OUT AT ALL. *JB

Incident Jul 8, 2003

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE. IT COSTS $178.00 PLUS TAX FOR EACH OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS TO BE REPAIRED. ABOUT SIX MONTH AGO ONE OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS CAME OFF, AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, THE OTHER HEADLIGHT COVER CAME OFF. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE GM MANUFACTURER TOLD HER THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CONTACT HAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE FIRST TIME IT GOT STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME AT ONLY 26,000 MILES, AND THE SECOND TIME AT 26,100 MILES. BOTH TIMES WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IT HAD ONLY 78,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE ON VACATION AND DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE TRANSMISSION QUIT. HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THAT TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED TRANSMISSION, AND AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR. ALL THE DEALERSHIPS THAT THE CONTACT CHECKED TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION SAID THAT THERE WHERE NO TRANSMISSIONS AROUND BECAUSE THEY WERE REDESIGNING ALL OF THE TRANSMISSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. SHE CONTACTED GM MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 100,000 MILES. *AK

Incident Feb 1, 2005

THE FRONT HEADLAMPS ON THE 1997-2004 CHEVROLET, PONTIAC, & OLDSMOBILE VANS DO NOT RELEASE MOISTURE FROM THE CAPSULE CAUSING THE LIGHT TO GLAZE OVER TIME. I HAVE REPLACED FRONT LIGHTS TWICE SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE GLAZE ON THE HEADLIGHTS DRAMATICALLY REDUCES YOUR VISIBILITY AT NIGHT TO SEE WHAT IS OUT THERE, POTENTIALLY ABLE TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Incident May 16, 2005

THE SEAT BELT CLASP ON THE MIDDLE BENCH SEAT HAS COME APART, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT FROM SAFELY CONNECTING AND STAYING CONNECTED.

Incident Jan 1, 2005

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. CAR WAS AT FULL THROTTLE AND CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC AHEAD. CONTINUED PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, BRAKING, AND PUTTING IT BACK IN DRIVE UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER TO A SAFE SPOT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ACCELERATOR CABLE HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT DON'T KNOW IF DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO THE TRANSMISSION.

Incident Jul 1, 2005

THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK, THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WANTED CONSUMER TO PAY FOR IT. CONSUMER FELT THAT MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR MOTOR ON 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE IS DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER PAID FOR REPAIRS 3 DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT IT KEPT BREAKING.*AK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH FAILED. WIPER MODULE SHORTED OUT. THE VEHICLE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER FOUND A BAD CONNECTION AT THE EBCM. ALSO FOUND BOTH TRACTION BULBS WERE MISSING. *NM

Incident Apr 14, 2004

INTAKE GASKET LEAKING COOLANT IN MY VAN NOT TO MENTION THE MANY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE LIGHTS ON THIS VAN, SO NOW I AM HAVING TO SINK ANOTHER $500 INTO THIS VAN TO GET THE PART FIRST MENTIONED JUST SO MY MOTOR WON'T BLOW UP.*AK

Incident Apr 13, 2005

THE REAR AIR RIDE PUMP CONTINUES TO INFLATE REAR SHOCKS MORE OFTEN AND ALSO RUNS WHEN THE VAN IS OFF THE KILLS THE BATTERY. CONNECTED AIR PUMP IN THE LEFT REAR UNDER THE VAN AND REPLACED REAR AIR SHOCKS WITH AFTERMARKET NON AIR SHOCKS.*AK

Incident Mar 13, 2005

THE PLASTIC COVERS OF THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 1997 CHEVY VENTURE ARE GLUED ON. WATER GETS INSIDE THE UNIT AND THE PLASTIC POPS OFF, THEN THE LIGHTS BURN OUT. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME I HAVE REPLACED THEM AT THE COST OF $185.00 PER LIGHT.*AK

Incident Feb 5, 2005

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. WHEN TAKING THE OIL CAP OFF THERE IS A MILKY MIX. MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.*AK

Incident Apr 10, 2000

MY VEHICLE A 1997 CHEVY VENTURE, SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED TO BE THE DEALERSHIPS EXIT AND I PULLED RIGHT IN TO THE SERVICE BAY. THEY TELL ME I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WHEN THEY TOOK THE ENGINE APART THE SERVICE MANAGER ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE ENGINE. THE COOLANT CHANNELS ARE COATED WITH A BROWN GUMMY SUBSTANCE AND THE CYLINDERS WERE FULL OF COOLANT. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS GIVEN A SAMPLE OF THE SUBSTANCE AND SAID HE WILL GIVE IT TO THE GM REP WHEN HE COMES IN LATER THIS WEEK. COST WILL TOP $2500. PREVIOUSLY I REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THE WATER PUMP. THIS SEEMS LIKE FAULTY GASKETS OR COOLANT I DON'T KNOW WHICH. I'M JUST GLAD IT DIDN'T STRAND ME OUT SOMEWHERE AWAY FROM TOWN. *NM

Incident Jan 14, 2005

STEERING RACK BROKE. DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL CAN ASSUME POSITIONS ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10 TO 2 O'CLOCK WHILE STILL GOING STRAIGHT. STEERING ACTION IS NOT POSITIVE. AT TURNS, MORE STEERING MOVEMENT IS NEEDED AND VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPONSE AS BEFORE. FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL NHTSA #02V286000 FOR THE STEERING RACK LOWER PINION BEARINGS THAT THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE LOWER PINION BEARING OR REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. WE TOOK THE CAR IN 5/28/05 FOR THIS RECALL AND I BELIEVE THE LOWER PINION BEARING WAS REPLACED. CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE 1/17/05. TOLD TO HAVE CAR INSPECTED BY DEALER. LANNAN CHEVROLET CONFIRMED THAT DAMAGE IS INSIDE STEERING RACK AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TALKED WITH CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE 1/20/05, THEY DECLINE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CURRENT PROBLEM AND SAID THAT IT IS DUE TO "WEAR AND TEAR". HE BLAMED IT ON OTHER THINGS SUCH AS HYDRAULIC HOSE LEAK. THE HYDRAULIC HOSE HAS BEEN "WET" SINCE THE EARLY DAYS (1 OR 2 YEARS) AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE LEAK IS NOT SIGNIFICANT AND THE LEVEL HAS BEEN CHECKING EVERY 1-2 WEEK. WE BELIEVE THIS CURRENT PROBLEM IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND THE WORK DONE FOR THE STEERING RACK RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE UNDERLINING PROBLEM. EITHER THERE ARE ADDITIONAL STEERING RACK DEFECTS OR INTERNAL DAMAGE HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. *JB

Incident Jan 15, 2005

AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME FROM THE CAR WASH, BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. CONSUMER NOTICED BOTH HEADLIGHT LENS WERE MISSING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.

Incident Oct 30, 2004

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THIS CAUSED THE HORN TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK. VEHICLE WA SRECALLED FOR STEERING RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT. AFTER IT WAS REPLACED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND COULDN'T BE RESET, THE SENSOR UNIT SHORTED OUT AND BURNE DALL TAIL LIGHTS. CONSUMER TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER CLAIMED HE WAS 68 YEARS OF AGE AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE COULDN'T BE DRIVEN WITHOUT AIR BAGS BEING USED IN WHICH CASE THEY WERE WRONG.CONSUMER DRIVES ABOUT 3000 MILES PER WEEK AS A DELIVERY PERSON FOR A FURNACE COMPANY AND ALWAY USED SEAT BELTS. *AK

Incident Dec 1, 2004

ONE AFTERNOON WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AFTER DOING SOME SHOPPING TO FIND BOTH DOORS COMPLETELY AJAR. WE KNEW THAT WE HAD CLOSED THEM BEFORE LEAVING SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS VERY STRANGE. WE GOT IN THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOORS AND THEY KEPT SWINGING OPEN. NEITHER DOOR WOULD CLOSE. WE HAD TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING THE DOORS CLOSED. ONCE HOME WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE DOORS TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING IT. THE DRIVER DOOR TURNED OUT TO BE FIXABLE, FOR THE TIME BEING, THE THING THAT LATCHES THE DOOR WAS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION SO WE JUST OPENED IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE PASSENGER DOOR, WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT AT ALL. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE DRIVER DOOR STOPPED CLOSING ALL TOGETHER AS WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE DOORS FIXED BECAUSE WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO JUST TAKE IT IN AND HAVE IT DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

Incident Nov 21, 2004

WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARED IN THE TAIL LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, VERY NEAR THE GAS TANK. INSPECTOR STATED THAT IT WAS A DEAD SHORT. CONSUMER CONTACTED CHEVROLET, AND THEY WERE WILLING TO DO PAY THE SUM THAT VEHICLE WAS WORTH. *AK

Incident Nov 5, 2004

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY A BURNT ODOR WAS SMELLED FOLLOWED BY BLACK SMOKE. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK BLACK SMOKE CAME GUSHING OUT BY THE AIRBAG. SOON AFTER THE DASH BOARD EXPLODED IN FLAMES. EXPLOSION CAUSED ALL THE WINDOWS TO BLOW OUT. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AS FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENTIRE BODY. *TC

Incident Sep 24, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRROR FELL COMPLETELY OFF. THE SEAT BELT WAS DAMAGED ON THE SECOND ROW PASSENGER SIDE. THE HEAD LIGHT COVERS CONTINUOUSLY FELL OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS CONSTANTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED AND WAS TOLD THE TIRE ROD WAS BENT AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

Incident Oct 1, 2004

DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPAIRED 4-TIMES REPLY DIRECTLY TO THE CONSTITUENT. *BF THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CONSUMER'S A/C UNTIL THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNED AND THE PCV VALVE WAS GUMMED WITH DEXCOOL. THE SERPENTINE WAS WORN OUT. *NM

Incident Jan 1, 1901

WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK. CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Incident Aug 25, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL REIMBURSE FOR PART OF THE REPAIR. *JB

Incident Jul 10, 2004

ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2004 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 02049 FROM THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING RACK AND PINION FAILURE. , PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER, CONSUMER HAD ALREADY FIXED THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT, AND THEY INDICATED THEY WON'T HONOR THE RECALL. *AK

Incident Sep 8, 2004

(1) CAR STARTED MAKING KNOCKING NOISE AND THEN QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. (2) THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE OIL. THIS COOLANT IN THE OIL RUINED THE ENGINE BEARINGS AND MAIN JOURNAL. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. (3) THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND A COMPLETE NEW ENGINE HAD TO BE INSTALLED. *AK

Incident Jun 28, 2004

FAILURE OF MANIFOLD GASKET AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP CAUSED COOLANT LIGHT TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AND. THERE WAS SOME DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS QUITE COMMON, BUT NOT WARRANTIED. THE BEST PART WAS IT FAILED ON CONSUMER'S BIRTHDAY, WHAT A GIFT.*AK

Incident Apr 30, 2003

THE CAMPAIGN 02049 WAS COMPLETED ON 30 APRIL 2003 THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING BEARING. THE VEHICLE STEERING SLOWLY BECAME STIFF AND GAVE RESISTANCE IN MAY 2004 WHEN TURNING OR MAKING STEERING CORRECTIONS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN JUNE OR JULY AS IT WAS GETTING WORSE. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER IT REQUIRED A LOT OF EXERTION TO STEER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACED. I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL TO CHECK THE GEAR AND IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. HE STATED NO NOT RELATED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS BEHAVING ERRATICALLY ON THE ROAD. STEERING CORRECTIONS WERE SLOPPY YOU HAD TO MOVE IT LEFT OR RIGHT 3 OR MORE INCHES TO TURN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER HE HAD SOME ADJUSTMENT DONE AND THE STEERING SEEMED FINE. ONLY NOW A GROANING CLUNK UPON TURNS AND ACCELERATION. I WAITED A FEW DAYS THEN A COMPONENT FELL FROM THE UNDERSIDE ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AGAIN AND VOICED MY CONCERNS OVER THE COMPONENT AND THE NOISE. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE AND THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NO PROBLEM ONLY A LOOSE WIRE BRACKET. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE MECHANIC AND DROVE AROUND TO SHOW HIM THE NOISE. HE HEARD THE NOISE AND WOULD BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. NEXT THE SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THE STRUT BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I REQUESTED THE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE STRUTS FOR DAMAGE FROM THE FAULTY STRUT BRACKETS AND LET ME KNOW IF THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE WRITER CALLED AND SAID THE STRUTS WERE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. I HAD PURCHASED LIFETIME REPLACEMENT FROM FIRESTONE SO I HAD IT PUT BACK TOGETHER AND I PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND DROVE OVER TO FIRESTONE TO HAVE THE STRUTS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC AT FIRESTONE SAID THE STRUTS WERE FINE BUT REPLACED THEM ANYWAY. THE ONLY ABNORMALITY THE FIRESTONE MECHANIC NOTED WAS THAT THE STRUT SPRINGS WERE NOT PROPERLY SEATED. AFTER THE STRUT REPLACEMENT THE SAME NOISE WAS PRESENT. IT IS STILL BEING REPAIRED. NOT SURE OF THE START ORIGINAL DATE). *AK

Incident Jul 15, 2004

WHILE DRIVING A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Incident Aug 24, 2004

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOCKED. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TAKEN APART TO IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSED THE LOCK. THE OIL PAN WAS FULL WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *JB

Incident Aug 6, 2004